Pretalen LTD — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A14-066

Description

PreTalen proposes a broadcast antenna technology for both airborne and ground pseudolites that maximizes signal coverage to pseudolite receivers while minimizing transmit amplifier requirements and co-site interference. Two distinct but related antennas will be produced for the airborne and ground pseudolites. The airborne antenna is designed for operation on UAS?s sized from Shadow 200 up to Gray Eagle. The airborne antenna approximates cosecant elevation rolloff, broadcasting equal power density to users at the edges of the field of regard (about ?60? about nadir) and users at nadir. A unique but related antenna is proposed for the terrestrial pseudolite, with its unique operating environment and gain pattern requirements. The beam for the ground antenna must be narrower to maximize gain near horizon. A narrower 30? beamwidth is baselined as a tradeoff between higher gain, yet broad enough to avoid link-loss during vehicle maneuvers. The proposed Phase I program will involve analysis and simulation of the antenna architectures in both freespace and in the installed environment; the Phase I option will culminate in construction and delivery of prototypes to Army for laboratory evaluation